What Old Testament passages foreshadow God's authority given to Jesus? Authority Recognized in Matthew 9:8 Matthew 9:8: “When the crowds saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” • The miracle of the paralytic’s healing makes the crowds realize that Jesus wields divine prerogatives. • Scripture’s consistent pattern is that God alone delegates real, heaven-backed authority—and the Old Testament repeatedly anticipated a coming figure who would receive it in full. Prophetic Psalms Announcing Divine Kingship “‘I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.’ I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.’” “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’ The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: ‘Rule in the midst of Your enemies.’” • Both psalms picture a divinely installed King, God’s own Son, ruling with an unchallengeable scepter—pure authority entrusted by the Father. • Jesus cites Psalm 110 about Himself (Matthew 22:44), and the apostles quote Psalm 2 (Acts 4:25-28) to explain His exaltation. Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man “I continued watching in the night visions, and I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” • Here “dominion” (authority) is explicitly handed over by the Ancient of Days. • Jesus applies “Son of Man” to Himself more than eighty times, culminating in Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Isaiah’s Promise of Government on His Shoulders “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders… Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David… from that time and forevermore.” • “Government” is authority; the prophecy locates it squarely on the Messiah. • Luke 1:32-33 links this passage to Jesus at His birth announcement. Kingdom Covenant with David “I will raise up your offspring after you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” • God’s promise of an eternal throne points ahead to Christ, the “Son of David” (Matthew 1:1; 21:9). • Acts 13:32-34 says Jesus’ resurrection fulfills this covenant, confirming His royal authority. Mosaic Promise of a Prophet Who Speaks for God “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put My words in His mouth… Whoever does not listen to My words that that Prophet speaks in My name, I will hold accountable.” • Divine authority to speak—backed by God’s own demand for obedience. • At the Transfiguration the Father echoes this: “Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5). Tribal Blessing of Judah’s Scepter “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and to Him shall be the obedience of the nations.” • A royal “scepter” anticipates the Messiah emerging from Judah, commanding worldwide obedience. • Hebrews 7:14 anchors Jesus’ lineage in Judah, fulfilling the promise. Zechariah’s Humble Yet Worldwide King “See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey… He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea.” • Jesus’ triumphal entry on a donkey (Matthew 21:4-5) deliberately enacts this prophecy. • The scope—“sea to sea”—shows authority that transcends Israel alone. Threads Tied Together in Jesus • Matthew’s Gospel circles back to authority: teaching “as one who had authority” (7:29), commanding storms (8:27), forgiving sins (9:6), commissioning disciples with “all authority” (28:18). • Each Old Testament passage above contributes a brushstroke—royal dominion, eternal throne, worldwide obedience, Spirit-empowered speech—so that, when Jesus exercises authority in Matthew 9, informed readers see the prophetic picture snapping into focus. |
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